Question : STUDY ON RANDOM HUMAN BLOOD SAMPLES

(a) whether the Government is aware that according to a recent study based on random human blood samples from Malwa belt in Punjab, the pesticide residue in the blood of farmers in this area has been found to be 15 to 605 times higher than that is present in the blood of US farmers;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the Government proposes to initiate measures for educating farmers in all States and Union Territories in the country on the judicious use of pesticides;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefore?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): An Expert Committee has been constituted to analyse the findings of the study on `Analysis for Pesticides Residues in Blood Samples from Villages of Punjab` published by the Centre for Science and Environment in March, 2005 and recommend corrective policy measures as may be necessary.

(c) to (e): Government is already promoting the strategy of Integrated Pest Management

(IPM) which envisages use of biological, mechanical, cultural and other methods of pest control and only need based judicious use of Pesticides. The ill effects of the indiscriminate use of pesticides is also emphasized during the training of farmers in the Farmers` Field Schools (FFSs) on IPM. A total of 9111 FFSs have been conducted by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage from 1994-95 to 2004-05 wherein 37,281 Agricultural Extension Officers and 2,75,056 farmers have been trained in IPM.